From one photography collector to another: a venue for thoughtful discussion of vintage and contemporary photography via reviews of recent museum exhibitions, gallery shows, photography auctions, photo books, art fairs and other items of interest to photography collectors large and small.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Auction Results: Post-War and Contemporary Art Evening and Day Sales, February 11 and 12, 2010 @Christie's King Street

The photography in Christie's recent Post-War and Contemporary Art sales in London generally performed in line with expectations, with the total sale proceeds for photography falling solidly within the estimate range.

The summary statistics for the photography lots in the two sales are below (all results include the buyer’s premium):

Total Lots: 22

Pre Sale Low Total Estimate: £839000

Pre Sale High Total Estimate: £1143000

Total Lots Sold: 16

Total Lots Bought In: 6

Buy In %: 27.27%

Total Sale Proceeds: £971050

Here is the detailed breakdown (using the Low, Mid, and High definitions from the preview post, here):

Low Total Lots: 0

Low Sold: NA

Low Bought In: NA

Buy In %: NA

Total Low Estimate: £0

Total Low Sold: NA

Mid Total Lots: 12

Mid Sold: 9

Mid Bought In: 3

Buy In %: 25.00%

Total Mid Estimate: £193000

Total Mid Sold: £153750

High Total Lots: 10

High Sold: 7

High Bought In: 3

Buy In %: 13.33%

Total High Estimate: £950000

Total High Sold: £817300

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87.50% of the photo lots that sold had proceeds in or above their estimate. There was only one surprise in this sale (defined as having proceeds of at least double the high estimate): lot 162, Louise Lawler, Muséede Nantes, 1987, at £30000. (Image at right, via Christie's.).

The top lot by High estimate was lot 50, John Baldessari, Former Site of Duck Pond Bar, 3003 National City Blvd, National City, Calif, 1996, at £300000-400000; it sold for £265250. The top photo outcome of the two sales was lot 4, Gilbert & George, Cherry Blossom no. 9, 1974, at £325250. (Image at right, top, via Christie's.)

Complete lot by lot results can be found here (Evening) and here (Day).